Just got my Texas Speed Headers
10-01-2011, 05:41 PM
#21
Staging Lane
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Yeah I got mine a few days ago as well, and they are already in the car. Things I had to do:
Jacked the front end up about 3 feet.
Grind down driver side of k-member (for easier install).
Remove driver side motor mount.
Remove oil filter.
Make O2 sensor extensions from junkers, any GM 1996+ rear O2 wires will work.
TUNE!
I did quite a few other things with the header install so it took a while. I ended up putting in new motor/trans mounts (prothane) and that was a big pain, can never get those holes to line up. We also did an AEM wideband, which was money well spent because without a tune we noticed the car doing a 17.1 air/fuel ratio. So we hooked up the HPTuners and tuned it out. We put the wideband on the driver side header O2 sensor bung, and drilled/welded a new bung on the y-pipe for the O2 sensor. Grabbed some rear O2 sensor wires from other 1996+ cars at the junkyard (4 bucks) and voila. The sound is amazing, and the extra horses are noticeable.
Props to Texas Speed and Performance for an EXCELLENT product! Especially for $500, my buddy (welder/mechanic) was stupified by how little they cost. He was though a little puzzled about how the weld on the header where it meets the block was done. Said usually it's welded on the inside and tacked on the outside, something to do with expansion. Where as TSP welded around the outside only, but he also said it shouldn't be an issue for our 500hp goal.
Jacked the front end up about 3 feet.
Grind down driver side of k-member (for easier install).
Remove driver side motor mount.
Remove oil filter.
Make O2 sensor extensions from junkers, any GM 1996+ rear O2 wires will work.
TUNE!
I did quite a few other things with the header install so it took a while. I ended up putting in new motor/trans mounts (prothane) and that was a big pain, can never get those holes to line up. We also did an AEM wideband, which was money well spent because without a tune we noticed the car doing a 17.1 air/fuel ratio. So we hooked up the HPTuners and tuned it out. We put the wideband on the driver side header O2 sensor bung, and drilled/welded a new bung on the y-pipe for the O2 sensor. Grabbed some rear O2 sensor wires from other 1996+ cars at the junkyard (4 bucks) and voila. The sound is amazing, and the extra horses are noticeable.
Props to Texas Speed and Performance for an EXCELLENT product! Especially for $500, my buddy (welder/mechanic) was stupified by how little they cost. He was though a little puzzled about how the weld on the header where it meets the block was done. Said usually it's welded on the inside and tacked on the outside, something to do with expansion. Where as TSP welded around the outside only, but he also said it shouldn't be an issue for our 500hp goal.
Last edited by Grim Crow; 10-02-2011 at 08:23 PM. Reason: to avoid misunderstandings
10-02-2011, 10:48 AM
#22
Yeah I got mine a few days ago as well, and they are already in the car. Things I had to do:
Jacked the front end up about 3 feet.
Grind down driver side of k-member.
Remove driver side motor mount.
Remove oil filter.
Make O2 sensor extensions from junkers, any GM 1996+ rear O2 wires will work.
TUNE!
Jacked the front end up about 3 feet.
Grind down driver side of k-member.
Remove driver side motor mount.
Remove oil filter.
Make O2 sensor extensions from junkers, any GM 1996+ rear O2 wires will work.
TUNE!
Is this something that has to be done for these headers to fit? Hope not or I'll be sticking with Kooks.
10-02-2011, 12:16 PM
#27
On The Tree
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I didn't have a problem with my k-member .. just removed the oil filter, took the bolt out of the driver side motor mount, and jacked the crap out of the engine
10-02-2011, 12:51 PM
#28
I'd love to see back to back dyno results between these and Kooks with the same size primaries. I currently have Kooks 1 3/4" but would like to switch to 1 7/8" since I just did H/C. For $500 it's hard to pass up, but I also don't want to sacrifice any power.
So what's up TSP....how do these compare to Kooks? Give us some dyno results!
So what's up TSP....how do these compare to Kooks? Give us some dyno results!
10-02-2011, 01:02 PM
#29
Any chance of someone taking a couple of pictures of these Headers on the car. In particular from underneath to see how they hang in relationship to the F Body pan.
I'm going to try and fit them in my 68 A Body so picture would sure help out.
Thanks, Tony
I'm going to try and fit them in my 68 A Body so picture would sure help out.
Thanks, Tony
10-02-2011, 01:05 PM
#30
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DO NOT WAIT FOR O2 extensions, after 2 heard installs, they are a waste, just cut/solder/shrinkwrap and pocket your 50 bucks.
Headers look great. Cannot wait to hear the setup!
Headers look great. Cannot wait to hear the setup!
10-02-2011, 04:24 PM
#34
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I'd love to see back to back dyno results between these and Kooks with the same size primaries. I currently have Kooks 1 3/4" but would like to switch to 1 7/8" since I just did H/C. For $500 it's hard to pass up, but I also don't want to sacrifice any power.
So what's up TSP....how do these compare to Kooks? Give us some dyno results!
So what's up TSP....how do these compare to Kooks? Give us some dyno results!
10-02-2011, 06:03 PM
#37
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We were trying to fit the header in before realizing you HAD to remove driver side motor mount. So that's how we ended up grinding down the k-member. Which means it's probably not necessary. Didn't grind anything structural down, just the little flange piece, and we welded over what we cut to keep it strong anyway. Besides.. tubular k-member upgrade is in future plans. But yeah, once they are in there were no issues, you guys probably thought I ment the k-member had to be grinded for them to clear, but no that was only something we tried to make the install easier.
Last edited by Grim Crow; 10-02-2011 at 08:22 PM.
10-02-2011, 11:46 PM
#38
Launching!
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We were trying to fit the header in before realizing you HAD to remove driver side motor mount. So that's how we ended up grinding down the k-member. Which means it's probably not necessary. Didn't grind anything structural down, just the little flange piece, and we welded over what we cut to keep it strong anyway. Besides.. tubular k-member upgrade is in future plans. But yeah, once they are in there were no issues, you guys probably thought I ment the k-member had to be grinded for them to clear, but no that was only something we tried to make the install easier.
10-03-2011, 05:21 AM
#39
Staging Lane
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^lol whats wrong with black? anyway no not in the budget schedule for the car atm. it will happen in the future but not until at least a cam and new suspension is in. maybe i'll hit you up in the future.
10-03-2011, 10:04 AM
#40
X2 on the dyno results vs another major brand name header. I'd imagine these would have to be very similar to the Kooks/ARH headers at half of the cost. Very impressive imo.